Atan Okoyong Community Demonstration Farm

Early in 2012 Jon spent a month in Nigeria on the pepper project. His goal was to teach raised bed production as well as individual pouch planting in the hoop house with raised beds. As you may remember from earlier updates, the goal was surpassed greatly in an abundance of plants growing to maturation. Some species did not fare as well and lasted only a short while – others however, produced fruit repeated. He also constructed a community dehydrator to introduce the concept of drying produce that wasn’t sold before it began to over ripen. In a culture without refrigeration, this new concept would greatly increase the amount of food that would be available for eating. Both of these projects were short-term pilot projects for a trial and error learning experience to see what steps to take next. Some plants did not survive or germinate well – others produced greatly. Soil, temperature and the amount of watering done by the local people played a major role in production rates. Pests became an issue further down the line in the project and destroyed a number of plants. As we expected, it was the individuals who took proper care and invested their efforts with the plants that reaped great produce – Jon even enjoyed eating some of the fresh produce from these plants on his most recent trip – one year after planting them in the original hoop house pilot project. The pilot project of the hoop house raised beds and the community dehydrator were also a ‘display’ of sorts for the local government representatives to observe and consider as a project they should undertake. While in Nigeria last month, in February Jon was taken to a large 50-hecter site (approximately 150 acres) along the Calabar River that was being considered for a government demonstration farm. This location was perfect as it provided a year-round water supply, water for irrigation and the capacity to raise fish in containment areas. On this initial visit the land was still thick with palm trees and dense foliage. Three weeks later on a second visit, only the palm trees remained on 50 acres. The land was well on its way to being developed. It is here that Jon’s projects and process will be implemented. This demonstration farm will show new ways of irrigation, new strains of cassava, yam, maize and peppers, etc. It will also introduce raising fish. It was exciting for Jon to see this great step forward with his concepts that will hopefully teach the locals new techniques for greater harvests. His community dehydrator and the raised beds concept have found a new home on this demonstration farm. We are believing for great things to come from these small beginnings of the pilot projects. Another focus of this trip was in the City of Port Harcourt. While residing there with his friend Okor, much time was spent developing hydroponics and producing catfish feed. Raising fish is becoming a great enterprise there but the demand for the feed can be a challenge. Jon and Okor worked toward a more efficient way of feeding the fish through local products, rather than imports from the US or Israel. Developing a feed supply locally would greatly increase the profit level for local fish growers. They also continued developing hydroponic systems in the catfish ponds. Also while in Port Harcourt he worked at Okor’s wood factory. He continued training the men there with their welding skills as well as introducing new concepts of automated production to increase their productivity on contract jobs. One of Jon’s strong points in his work in Africa is that of relationships. He mentors the young men through mechanical skills, preventative maintenance, working as a team, etc. The young men are eager to learn from a father figure and Jon has his ‘second group of sons’ waiting for his return later in the year.

Jon working on the fish feed extruder.

Catfish and Talipia ponds

See the catfish at the top of the picture!

A catfish from their pond.

Okor standing in front of the fish smoker that Jon built --
it's filled with catfish from the pond.